Thread 42 Corona GCSE Cohort - 👻Creeping it Real for Oct22

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

This is a support thread for our young adults post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting, and their results ( or life updates for those who went into work or have had results earlier). It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, uni vs employment please don't within this thread.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue. We were previously on the secondary board and then further education, now we shall be here in 'Parents of Adult Children' gulp

Our DS/DD may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed). Be warned there might be lots of 'Uni Freshers' chat this time of year. My experience is that everyone is welcomed wherever, whatever their child is doing we have some in work, gap years , apprenticeships etc too. Lots of contributors with different experiences and always sympathy and advice to be had.

previous thread

So sorry for all the illnesses, and for your DS @mummyinbeds . So glad you could go and get him - it's just what they need sometimes.

Got DD back to Norwich on Friday and have spent some time out and about, getting some sea air and plenty of meals out. Did a big supermarket shop before leaving her earlier. Apart from her neverending illnesses, I think her main problem are her flatmates. She gets on with them, but hasn't really made friends with any. And they are really into the night life which she isn't, and they keep her awake at night. Whilst she understands that she likes an early night (usually around10) they are still shouting and screaming and charging round the flat, banging on doors etc until midnight at least around 4nights a week. Then they go out! She is finding it hard, but really doesn't want to move as she likes her room and location.

I've been to see dd this weekend. So lovely to see her happy and settled. Bristol is just so lovely.
She's got a last minute few days off so is thinking of coming home as there's not many left in her flat. However, she needs to be back on the Sunday and there's train strikes planned. I really don't understand. If train strikes are announced, why can you still buy tickets? Looking to buy a ticket for next Sunday (6th) and I can get one no problem, but will the train run?

@NCTDN I'm finding the train strike chart confusing. It has tbc by all the dates for Sat 4th Sunday 5th and Monday. So I'm not sure when strikes are. Ds2 has booked a train home fri eve. He's meant to be going to see a show in Ipswich on 4th. by train from here, but we can take him or he can drive so that's ok. Then he's due to return to Brighton by train on the Sunday. I can't tell whether trains will be running. I don't want to drive him all the way to Brighton.

I'm glad it's not just me! I've posted on the chat thread to see if anyone can offer more clarity.

I’ve got a similar issue. Ds is travelling home Friday 4th night because he is playing a gig on 5th. He doesn’t need to be back until 3pm Monday but was going to go back up on Sunday because of the strikes.

Sorry to hear that Mummy. Glad you were able to go and get him so quickly. Hope you get decent support from tomorrow.

Oof, sounds unpleasant @mummyinbeds.

Back from a weekend visiting DD. She is happy and healthy, and was brimming with enthusiasm to show us her little corner of the world. So pleased and relieved.

@PhotoDad it's such a relief to see them in person isn't it? I feel so much better now.
@Monkey2001 i think I'd like to move to Bristol!

Thanks @NCTDN We used to be with Admiral but changed to LV a couple of years back. Such a nightmare re train strikes at the mo. Seems to be one every couple of weeks. Glad your DD seems so settled and yours too @PhotoDad
Sorry to hear your news about DS struggling and your DH having Covid now @mummyinbeds. Just shows what a fab relationship you have with your son that he reached out to you.
That must be so hard on your DD @Seeline esp as she's been so unwell. Sleep is so important to aid healing. Hopefully things will calm down soon once they get into doing assignments etc.
Glad your DD seems on the mend @BlueMarigold.

Train strike issues here too, DD catches the train to college apart from Mondays when her timetable matches my work hours so I give her a lift (they are about a mile apart). I can give lifts on the other days but she will have a lot of hanging around to do. The snag is that I was supposed to be having holiday that week and work/college are 10 miles away, also DS wants picking up from uni on Tues or Weds (reading week) so I was going to do that. All so complicated all of a sudden.

Sorry I've just realised I put about dd being settled, but never mentioned the ones having a tough time. I hope all your DCs are ok and that they get the support they need x

So sorry to hear of those who are unwell and struggling. DS finally has a blood test appointment although not till next week and has looked at list of councillors I sent him. Bath have kindly put the deferral through from start of term to preserve his funding for the year.

I haven’t had a conversation with him about what happens next year but have been thinking about it. I am wondering whether I should float the idea of applying to Bristol and see if he gets in and then potentially commute from here to start with. I’m not sure how that would work with Bath having him as a 2023 entrant, does anyone know ? Thanks.

Sounds like a good plan and worth suggesting Volterra. He wouldn't have to live at home but would have the option. I'm not sure whether you can apply when already 'on the books' at another uni, he might have to withdraw from Bath and apply to Bristol via UCAS. I'm sure Bristol admissions would advise though?

@mummyinbeds I'm so sorry about your DS, thank goodness he felt able to tell you and well done for getting him home. I really hope he gets sorted with some support up there.

@Heifer get thee to a doctor!

DS also affected by the train strikes trying to get to a gig on Thursday. DH now driving up to take him and combining with a trip to see his parents. I imagine the roads are going to be a nightmare with the M1 even more of a hell hole than it normally is.

So ds got back to halls yesterday afternoon after his week away playing. He decided to catch up on an assignment and woke me up at midnight with numerous messages with a link to the song arrangement he had done for it. (I need to re-evaluate ds's messages over-riding the do not disturb setting)

@Volterra ,so glad your ds is settling. It must be strange for him to have come home to a new house. My geographical knowledge is the source of much derision, so this may be ridiculous, but If Bristol is commutable, is Bath not also?
My empty nest reset was going well, but slightly derailed by visitors, including Casper the Insomniac.
Our shining star is coming home tomorrow for Reading week, mainly I think to collect the stuff she left behind with her sketchy packing. I’m wondering if she can manage the rolled rug on th3 train back, if we do yoga mat type straps.
dcat is clinging on, her blood test results are very interesting apparently, and also very expensive. She loves my apple picking basket, so we’ve lined it with blankets, but she’s also taken to sleeping in really odd spots, like by the kettle, most disconcerting as she is very fluffy and it’s not always obvious if she is breathing.

@Zebracat how lovely to have Caspar staying and not a ridiculous question! Bath is that bit further and I think it would be pushing it a bit to commute. I guess he could come back a bit as a compromise. Bristol still a bit of a trek but according to my friend whose friend is one of the accommodation officers there, with the pressure of accommodation Bristol has, those that live by us don't get allocated as it is deemed commutable.

He does like Bath as a city which is a start. I guess he needs to feel a bit better and then may feel more able to make a decision . I want to have my ducks in a row and have thought through the various options. No saying Bristol would make him an offer but he would he applying with grades in hand which I hope would help. Problem is he has no friends here so need to come up with some ideas to get him out a bit. If DD wasn't in final year I would suggest him applying to where she currently is.

Get well soon to all those suffering including Zebra cat - we found a lump on the dog yesterday so all on pins about that.

It's getting colder here, haven't caved on the central heating yet but the heated throw is getting an outing today.

Fingers crossed for the ill animals.

@Volterra if he got into Bath for Maths, he should get into Bristol, particularly as they have a big push on getting state school numbers up.

I know that if you hold a deferred offer through UCAS you can't start another application, but I have seen people applying to Medicine from the first year of other courses. I think he could do a new UCAS application without UCAS knowing he holds a sort-of deferred place or Bath knowing that he is applying for another course.

The problem might be that living in Bristol would be more daunting than living in Bath, so he might end up commuting for the full 3 years, which would be a sad reduction of the university experience as it should be. Could he go for "weekly boarding" at Bath - only planning to stay in uni accom Monday-Friday, as it must be fairly easy to get home from there if within commuting distance of Bristol. I assume he is in a strong position to get good accommodation in Bath, I can't remember what overwhelmed him, but if it was the sharing you might be able to get a studio at a reduced rate for mental health issues.

Thanks@Monkey2001 , you said what I was hoping to hear about the UCAS form. I totally understand what you are saying about Bristol and I think you are right. I was just thinking over him doing Bath and then home at weekends and a midweek break if needs be. I think the lectures are recorded so it potentially gives some flexibility.

I think it was a combination of him feeling ill which had a knock on affect with his mental health which has been dodgy for ages (probably due to his physical condition as can be a symptom) being off campus and issues with the buses and in a flat where there were only 4 of them, one never being there and the one that he did get on with dropping out. It’s too early to discuss it all with him but I’m trying to have a plan A and B. There’s the issue too that he didn’t particularly enjoy his lectures but he said he couldn’t tell whether that was down to how he felt. He will be able to submit his accommodation on time this time which would help. Bath have been good which helps a lot.

Sorry to hear about your son’s predicament @Volterra but it makes all the difference when you have a plan and he has your full support. Hopefully in time and with your care he will feel able to take the next step on his journey, whatever that may be. 😊

@Zebracat, so glad you've got Casper. How's he doing? I think he fell off our most recent list. Has he written his personal statement yet?

I'll add him back in, as an honorary member.

Casper / Sustainability / FIRM: Oxford, INSURANCE: Nottingham (might defer to 2040 tbc).

Poor ds Volterra. Hope there is some resolution soon.

Were you thinking he might also change course Volterra?